Lifting velocipede



Nov. 14, 1950 E. M. WADE ETAL LIFTING VELOCIPEDE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1949 /N'VE/V7'UF5 ESTES M. WA DE. LAWREHC V E J. COS A THE/l? flTTO/P/YEY- Nov. 14 1950 E. M. WADE ETAL LIFTING VELOCIPEDE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 21, 1949 Y WM 25 05% T A R vm w A wsww E ROW 5 WW m EMVE/ Patented Nov. 14, [950 LIFTING VELOCIPEDE Estes M. Wade, Burlingame, and Lawrence-J.

Costa, akland, Calif.; said Costa assignor to.

said Wade Application January 21, 1949, Serial No. 71,868

2 Claims.

I The present invention relates to improvements in velocipede for juvenile or'youthful operation wherein an inverted U-shaped frame having depending sides is provided with vertically movable lifting shoes in simulation of a commercial or power truck for lifting and transporting loads of lumber and similar bulky material, and operates in conjunction with pedal-actuated running and driving gear and also with manually operated steering gear, whereby a youth actually may lift and transport various objects and material within the range of the vehicle for amusement or pastime as well as for minor utilitarian purposes.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved velocipede having, on a reduced scale, operable means for lifting various objects and transporting the same, whereby a juvenile or youth may indulge in a useful form or pastime, such as assisting in the removal or rearrangement of said objects.

Another object is to provide a new and useful velocipede of the character set forth having a greatly simplified and economically produced construction having improved means arranged to lift and transport various light objects and to provide amusement and also utilitarian pastime for members of the younger generation.

The invention comprises the new and improved device disclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present application in which Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View of the velocipede, with the lifting shoes shown in lowered position in full lines, and in elevated position in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a partly broken top plan view, with imitation hood omitted, and steering wheel indi-- cated in dotted lines; and

Fig. 3 is a front elevation, showing the lifting shoes elevated, and a load thereon indicated in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawings:

The lifting velocipede comprises essentially an inverted U-shaped frame I, having a preferably substantially open or transversely grilled top, and depending sides 2 extending coextensively therewith. A dummy cowl or hood 3 may be provided to further enhance the simulation of a commercial or power truck. Running gear comprises a pair of Wheels i mounted under the rear ends of the depending sides 2 and each is provided with driving gear comprising a sprocket 6 connected to similar sprockets i upon opposite ends of a transverse shaft 8, rotatably mounted across the rear end of the frame I, by means of suitable drivin chains 9. A sprocket H is mounted preferably midway on the shaft 8 and connected by a sprocket chain [2 to a similar sprocket l4 rotatably mounted within a vertical and longitudinally dis-' posed web l6 onthe top of the frame I,'saidsprocket being adapted to be rotated or driven by suitable pedals l8, whereby said running gear may be operated by a driver, not shown, seated upon a seat 20 upon said frame I.

The running gear of the velocipede also comprises a pair of dirigible wheels 22 rotatably mounted beneath the front ends of the sides 2 and connected by suitable levers 24, links 26, and a bar 28 upon a gear 30 meshing with a pinion 32 upon the bottom of a steering column 34 rotatably mounted upon said frame I and controlled by a suitable steering wheel 36.

A horizontally flanged lifting shoe 40 is slidably mounted for vertical movement beneath each side 2 and between the front and rear wheels 22 and 4, respectively, by means of vertical rods 42 slidably mounted within the depending sides 2. Central rods or lifters 44 extend upwardly from the approximate centers of said shoes 40 and have lateral extensions 46 inwardly turned and slidably mounted within guides 48 upon the inner sides of the depending sides 2, as fully disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

A transverse bar 50 is rotatably or pivotally mounted across the frame I and is provided with forwardly extended arms 52 normally positioned under the lateral extensions 36 of the rods or lifters 44. A suitable flat spring lever 54 is pivotally mounted upon the frame I, preferably adjacent the right of the seat 20, and has an arm 56 positioned with its end under one extended arm 52 and is adapted to raise, through the medium of the rod 50, both extended arms 52 whensaid lever 54 is pulled backwardly and snapped into a notch 58 in the frame I, and thereby elevate and hold in such elevated position the lifting shoes 40, as disclosed in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and in full lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings, in which latter figure a load 60 also elevated is indicated in dotted lines.

From the foregoing, it is obvious with our improved lifting velocipede, we have provided a new and useful juvenile vehicle in simulation of a commercial or power lifting truck and having improved means adapted to elevate and transport various objects easily whereby the youthful energy may be directed toward the accomplishment of minor utilitarian objectives under the guise, frequently, of amusement or pastime.

Having described our invention, we claim- 1. A velocipede comprising an inverted U- shaped frame having opposite depending sides; running gear mounted below opposite ends of said sides; pedal-operated driving gear mounted upon said frame and connected to said running gear on one end of said sides; steering mechanism mounted upon said frame and operatively connected to the running gear upon the opposite ends of said sides; lifting shoes slidably mounted for vertical movement on opposite sides and intermediate said running gear thereon; and. levers actuated mechanism mounted upon said frame and operatively connected to. said shoes and;

adapted to move the same vertically.

2. A velocipede comprising an inverted U- shaped frame having depending; sides; running gear mounted below the rear ends of said" sides; a shaft rotatably mounted across the rear end of said frame; sprockets mounted upon opposite endsiand in thecenter of saidshaft; driving gear connecting said end sprockets. with said running gear; a pedal operatedsprocket mounted upon saidiframe; driving means connecting said pedaloperated. sprocket to the, center sprocket on said shaft; dirigible running gear mounted under the front ends of said depending sides; steering mechanism mounted upon said frame and operatively connected to said dirigible gear; lifting shoes slidably mounted for vertical movement beneath said depending sides and between said running and said dirigible gear; and lever-actuated means mounted upon said frame and operatively connected to said shoes and adapted to move the same vertically.

ESTES M. WADE.

LAWRENCE J. COSTA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number. Name Date 1,457,025 Gerlinger May 29, 1923 1,827,541 Opperman Oct. 13, 1931 2,316,938 Dimick Apr. 20, 1943 2,455,692 McDunnah Dec. 7, 1948 2,478,084 Brown Aug. 2, 1949 

